Portable cooling system

ABSTRACT

A cooling drinking vessel, such as a cooling cup, with a double wall. The cooling drinking vessel includes a thermoelectric cooling mechanism which includes one or more pairs of elements from n- to p-type semiconductors with a power source, and a heat dissipation mechanism. Voltage is applied between the one or more pairs of elements from n- to p-type semiconductors to create current which passes through the one or more pairs of elements, thereby creating a cooling effect in a first side mounted to an inner part of the cooling drinking vessel to cool the content of the drinking vessel. A heat effect is created at a second side and which is dissipated by the heat dissipation mechanism.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of cooling system. More specifically the invention relates to a portable cooling drinking vessel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cooling systems for drinks and food products are usually known as refrigerator or freezers, which may be in different sizes to contain different amount of products, starting from very big refrigerators such as commercial ones, (refrigerating rooms in hotels for example) through home used refrigerators to small refrigerators for cars. The cooling technology of most systems are based on a thermally insulated compartment and a heat pump (mechanical, electronic or chemical) that transfers heat from the inside of the fridge to its external environment so that the inside of the fridge is cooled to a temperature below the ambient temperature of the room. Another known cooling technology is known as thermoelectric cooling system which is based on the Peltier effect, where electric voltage difference is converted to temperature differences and vice versa via a thermocouple. A thermoelectric device creates voltage when there is a different temperature on each side. Conversely, when a voltage is applied to it, heat is transferred from one side to the other, creating a temperature difference. At the atomic scale, an applied temperature gradient causes charge carriers in the material to diffuse from the hot side to the cold side.

However, there is no device which can cool a beverage instantly when a user wish to have a cold drink. The popular option known from past day is simply to cool the drink in a cup by adding some ice cubes.

There is therefore a need for a small portable drinking vessel with a cooling effect which cools out drinks immediately after the beverage has been poured into it.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a cooling drinking vessel, such as a cooling cup, with a double wall comprising a thermoelectric cooling mechanism which comprises one or more pairs of elements from n- to p-type semiconductors with a power source, and a heat dissipation mechanism; wherein voltage is applied between said one or more pairs of elements from n- to p-type semiconductors to create current which passes through said one or more pairs of element, thereby creating a cooling effect in a first side mounted to an inner part of said cooling drinking vessel to cool out the content of said drinking vessel, and wherein a heat effect is created at a second side and which is dissipated be said heat dissipation mechanism.

In an embodiment of the invention, the heat dissipation mechanism comprises a heat sink.

In an embodiment of the invention, the heat dissipation mechanism further comprises at least one fan.

In an embodiment of the invention, the drinking vessel further comprising a fan located at the bottom of the drinking vessel for increasing the cooling effect.

In an embodiment of the invention, the inner part of the drinking vessel is made of metal to bring to an optimal thermal conductivity.

In an embodiment of the invention, the external part of the drinking vessel is made of a thermal insulating material.

In an embodiment of the invention, the thermal insulating material is plastic.

In an embodiment of the invention, the power source is a battery.

In an embodiment of the invention, the power source is a solar power source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be further illustrated with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of the present invention according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 schematically shows a cross section view of the present invention according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 schematically shows a first layer of the thermoelectric cooling mechanism of the present invention according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 schematically shows a second layer of the thermoelectric cooling mechanism of the present invention according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 schematically shows a third layer of the thermoelectric cooling mechanism of the present invention according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a personal portable cooling system, which is a cooling cup or other drinking vessel that is based on a thermoelectric cooling system with the Peltier effect, which cools the inner part of the drinking vessel and thereby cools the content of the drinking vessel. In an embodiment of the invention the inner part of the drinking vessel is made of metal to bring to an optimal thermal conductivity and to optimal cooling of the content of the drinking vessel.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of the drinking vessel, according to an embodiment of the invention. The drinking vessel 100 of the invention contains a double wall in which, between an inner part 101 and an external part 102 of drinking vessel 100, a thermoelectric mechanism is located to cool out the content of drinking vessel 100.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a cross section view of the present invention according to an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 2, three layer of the cooling system can be seen. The first layer comprises the thermoelectric cooling mechanism 201 which is attached to the inner part 101 of the drinking vessel 100 from one side, and from the other side it is connected to the second optional layer of a heat dissipation mechanism 202. The second layer is connected to the optional third layer of fans 203.

In an embodiment of the invention the thermoelectric mechanism 201 comprises one or more pairs of elements from n- to p-type semiconductors and a power source such as a battery or solar mechanism. The cooling effect is reached by applying voltage across the joint conductor's junction to create an electric current, which passes through the pairs of elements from n- to p-type. As a result of the Peltier effect there is a decrease of temperature at the junction of the cold side, which in the present invention is attached to the inner part 101 of the drinking vessel 100 to cool the content of the drinking vessel. In the other side of the thermoelectric mechanism absorption of heat from the environment is occurred. The heat is carried along the elements by electron transport and released on the opposite (hot) side as the electrons move from a high- to low-energy state. In the drinking vessel of the invention the hot side is away from the inner part and in order to dissipate the heat the hot side id connected to a heat dissipation mechanism 202.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the first layer of the cooling system, which is the thermoelectric cooling mechanism.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the second layer of the cooling system, which is an optional layer. The second layer is a heat dissipation mechanism 202, which helps to dissipate the heat created at the hot side of the thermoelectric cooling mechanism. In an embodiment of the invention and as seen in FIG. 4 the heat dissipation mechanism may be a heat sink. A heat sink is a passive heat exchanger that transfers the heat generated by an electronic or a mechanical device to a fluid medium such as liquid coolant, or to the air, where it is dissipated away from the device. However, in another embodiment heat dissipation mechanism may be another heat dissipation mechanism known in the art.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the third layer of the cooling system, which is also an optional layer. The third layer comprises at least one fan which helps to cool even more the heat dissipated by the heat dissipation mechanism 202 and in order to increase the cooling effect.

In an embodiment of the invention the cooling system of the invention may comprise only the first layer of the thermoelectric cooling mechanism 201 and the heat dissipation mechanism 202. In another embodiment of the invention the cooling system may comprise only the first layer of the thermoelectric cooling mechanism 201 and the third layer of the fans 203.

In an embodiment of the invention the external part of the drinking vessel is made of an insulated material such as plastic, so that the holding of the drinking vessel is comfortable and pleasant to the user.

In an embodiment of the invention, the drinking vessel further comprising a fan located at the bottom of the drinking vessel for increasing the cooling effect.

In an embodiment of the invention, there is an operation button (not shown in the figures), which activates the cooling system at user's choice. 

1. A cooling drinking vessel, with a double wall, comprising: a thermoelectric cooling mechanism which comprises one or more pairs of elements from n- to p-type semiconductors with a power source, and a heat dissipation mechanism; wherein voltage is applied between said one or more pairs of elements from n- to p-type semiconductors to create a current which passes through said one or more pairs of elements, thereby creating a cooling effect in a first side mounted to an inner part of said cooling drinking vessel to cool the content of said cooling drinking vessel, and wherein a heat effect is created at a second side and which is dissipated by said heat dissipation mechanism.
 2. The cooling drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the heat dissipation mechanism comprises a heat sink.
 3. The cooling drinking vessel of claim 2, wherein the heat dissipation mechanism further comprises at least one fan.
 4. The cooling drinking vessel of claim 1, further comprising a fan located at the bottom of the drinking vessel for increasing the cooling effect.
 5. The cooling drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the inner part of the drinking vessel is made of metal to provide an optimal thermal conductivity.
 6. The cooling drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the external part of the drinking vessel is made of a thermal insulating material.
 7. The cooling drinking vessel of claim 6, wherein the thermal insulating material is plastic.
 8. The cooling drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery.
 9. The cooling drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the power source is a solar power source. 